Exterior Restoration in Stages?

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    Author Topic: Exterior Restoration in Stages?  (Read 1273 times)

    Offline EMCD

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    Exterior Restoration in Stages?
    « on: November 09, 2012 - 10:34:32 AM »
    I’m about to start on the body work on my 72 to 71 conversion. The rear quarter are shot, the body is dinged, scraped, scratched and worn. Altogether, it’s structurally sound just faded and tired. All the mechanicals are new or rebuilt along with the interior. I don’t have a ton of upfront cash, but can manage $250/month on my Cuda body expense. I have all the parts to convert the car to a ’71 along with all the sheet metal. Give that, how should I start? Can I or should I do just the front end conversion, (gills, grill and thin recessed side lamps? Or, should or can I do the rear quarter skins, trunk extensions and taillight panel to? Can I or should I just primer it? I’m basically trying to piece meal the restoration into manageable chunks. Thanks for the advice and insight.
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    Offline cudasteve72

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    Re: Exterior Restoration in Stages?
    « Reply #1 on: November 09, 2012 - 11:58:20 AM »
    If and when you do attack the back you will most likeley need to do it all at once, in order to ensure alignment of booth quarters and the tail pan.   If your doing it all your self, I would start with the fenders, put your side markers and gills in, then they will probobly need some filler work.  As for the header panel and grille they will be easier to fit once the fenders are done.
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    1972 Cuda Custom 70 clone  416 stroker 481/531 hp/
    2006 Grand Cherokee SRT8 (daily)
    1970 Challenger convertible 340 (Dad's)
    1967 Dart gt slant six all original 40,000 miles driver but needs restoration (Brother's)
    2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (wife's)

    Offline burdar

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    Re: Exterior Restoration in Stages?
    « Reply #2 on: November 09, 2012 - 12:41:36 PM »
    I've always been told that body panels need to be aligned from the back to the front.  Align the doors to the quarters and the fenders to the doors.  It just seems logical to do the quarters first and get the doors aligned.  Then work on the front end.  :2cents:
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    Offline cudasteve72

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    Re: Exterior Restoration in Stages?
    « Reply #3 on: November 09, 2012 - 01:41:13 PM »
    Quote from: burdar on November 09, 2012 - 12:41:36 PM
    I've always been told that body panels need to be aligned from the back to the front.  Align the doors to the quarters and the fenders to the doors.  It just seems logical to do the quarters first and get the doors aligned.  Then work on the front end.  :2cents:

    I agree with working back to front.  but if hes not ready for that doing the other things i mentioned could keep him busy.
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    1972 Cuda Custom 70 clone  416 stroker 481/531 hp/
    2006 Grand Cherokee SRT8 (daily)
    1970 Challenger convertible 340 (Dad's)
    1967 Dart gt slant six all original 40,000 miles driver but needs restoration (Brother's)
    2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (wife's)

    Offline EMCD

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    Re: Exterior Restoration in Stages?
    « Reply #4 on: November 09, 2012 - 03:36:28 PM »
    For the front end work, I'd only be grafting in the gill and light patches and adding the 71 grill. Should I still wait and go back to front?
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    Offline johns cuda shop

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    Re: Exterior Restoration in Stages?
    « Reply #5 on: November 12, 2012 - 08:08:01 AM »
    Quote from: burdar on November 09, 2012 - 12:41:36 PM
    I've always been told that body panels need to be aligned from the back to the front.  Align the doors to the quarters and the fenders to the doors.  It just seems logical to do the quarters first and get the doors aligned.  Then work on the front end.  :2cents:
    I agree, I see alot of guys take all the sheet metal off without marking the doors. If you cut the quarters off, how do you have a refrence point on where to hang the new quarter??.
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    71 Cuda Gen III Aluminum 426 Hemi T56 6 speed 4.10 8.75 Modified & Lowered RMS coilover suspension Wilwood discs

    Offline torredcuda

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    Re: Exterior Restoration in Stages?
    « Reply #6 on: November 14, 2012 - 06:44:49 PM »
    If you do bodywork and prime make sure the primer you use is waterproof.Some primers will allow water to penatrate through them and rust out all your sheet metal.I use a good epoxy primer like PDLF.
    http://www.custom-aerosol.com/pdf/PPG-DPLF-epoxy-primer-product-sheet.pdf
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    Jeff
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    Offline EMCD

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    Re: Exterior Restoration in Stages?
    « Reply #7 on: November 14, 2012 - 09:51:17 PM »
    Cool. I'm going to add the new grill, gills and lights and call it good until I can afford the complete restoration. How many hours will it take a pro to complete the front transformation?
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